RadioGaGa 162 Report post Posted December 30, 2009 I've been using my cell phone exclusively since I moved into the house...but I saw a local store selling "Magic Jack" the device that uses your broadband internet to stream phone calls (much like VOIP or SKYPE).If I have no current landline phone service...can I install/seelect a brand new number for this?For $40, it may be a better option than having limited times that I can call my folks (who live out of province now).What is/are the MSH experience(s) with Magic Jack?Thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ahriman 1 Report post Posted December 30, 2009 Personally I'd just got with VoiP or Skype instead of something thats marketed the way it is, something about the name and marketing just makes me think it's not exactly what it says it is. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gidney14 0 Report post Posted December 30, 2009 what do you have for a PC? and if you have windows what version is it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Race4LastPlace 31 Report post Posted December 30, 2009 to me, It works exactly like it says it does. I have it and use it when necessary. Predominantly i use my cell phone, but i like having the 'landline' just in case. No monthly fees or anything, its just cheap and works. I wouldnt use it a whole lot, it does get kind of buggy. (ive had friends call me telling me they are calling me back... it seems sometimes the magic jack will dial for no reason but its rare). Ive had a few dropped calls, but nothing i cant deal with. Plug it into my usb, attach my phone to it, and i can make call no problem... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RadioGaGa 162 Report post Posted December 31, 2009 what do you have for a PC? and if you have windows what version is it?P4 2.8G CPU Win XP Pro (SP2) ...but very little RAM...512m :( Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gidney14 0 Report post Posted December 31, 2009 ehh.....i tried and it said it wasn't compatible with my version. funny thing was it mistook but for some business version.....i say use skype or something like it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chadd 916 Report post Posted December 31, 2009 what do you have for a PC? and if you have windows what version is it?P4 2.8G CPU Win XP Pro (SP2) ...but very little RAM...512m :(more RAM Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RadioGaGa 162 Report post Posted December 31, 2009 what do you have for a PC? and if you have windows what version is it?P4 2.8G CPU Win XP Pro (SP2) ...but very little RAM...512m :(more RAMYeah...I know. Just hasn't been a priority right now...Hell...I haven't even bought any new hockey gear in almost a year (I know...some would say I have to turn in my MSH membership...*L*)Race...thanks for the input. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daca 0 Report post Posted December 31, 2009 My girlfriend is Thai and her family uses this to keep in touch. Her parents bought two, sent one to their family back in Thailand (I think it has a Dallas local number) and it works well for them. You have to keep your PC on to receive calls as far as I know. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RadioGaGa 162 Report post Posted December 31, 2009 unrelated to MJ...but since RAM was mentioned here....added 1G to my machine today...and a DIVX video that was jittery and skipping before now runs smoothly. For another $39 bucks...I may have to up to 2.5G RAM. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
camhockey16 5 Report post Posted December 31, 2009 this is a quote from the February 2010 issue of Consumer Reports that i have:"The claim. Magic Jack, a VoIP (voice over internet protocol) phone device and service, "makes your monthly phone bill disappear," an online ad says. "Save hundreds, even thousands, of dollars" and get "no more poor reception." You plug Magic Jack into a computer's USB port, plug the line of your own phone into the other end of the USB adapter, and Magic Jack uses the Internet to make and recieve calls. You need broadband Internet access, and the computer has to be on for you to make or receive calls. If it's off, messages go to voice mail. The charge: $39.95 for the device and one year of local and long distance calling; then $19.95 per year. Details are at www.magicjack.com.The check. One of our electronics experts made dozens of calls over several days, sometimes while downloading files or playing online computer games.Bottom Line. Shazam! Calls connected, and voice quality was clear, though not as clear as on a good corded phone on a regular line. When our tester downloaded a big file while playing an online game and making a call, there was some interference. But if you can live with a few limitations, it's a great deal. Vonage VoIP service can cost $216 a year; Skype $95, and you must buy a Skype phone." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RadioGaGa 162 Report post Posted December 31, 2009 this is a quote from the February 2010 issue of Consumer Reports that i have:"The claim. Magic Jack, a VoIP (voice over internet protocol) phone device and service, "makes you monthly phone bill disappear," an online ad says. "Save hundreds, even thousands, of dollars" and get "no more poor reception." You plug Magic Jack into a computer's USB port, plug the line of your own phone into the other end of the USB adapter, and Magic Jack uses the Internet to make and recieve calls. You need broadband Internet access, and the computer has to be on for you to make or receive calls. If it's off, messages go to voice mail. The charge: $39.95 for the device and one year of local and long distance calling; then $19.95 per year. Details are at www.magicjack.com.The check. One of our electronics experts made dozens of calls over several days, sometimes while downloading files or playing online computer games.Bottom Line. Shazam! Calls connected, and voice quality was clear, though not as clear as on a good corded phone on a regular line. When our tester downloaded a big file while playing an online game and making a call, there was some interference. But if you can live with a few limitations, it's a great deal. Vonage VoIP service can cost $216 a year; Skype $95, and you must buy a Skype phone."Well that sounds promising. Thanks for posting. I'm guessing you have to supply a CC when you set it up for future billings? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thejackal 46 Report post Posted December 31, 2009 my parents use it. definitely amp up on the RAM - theirs is connected from an older laptop and its not always fast. otherwise it's alright for the price. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Too Old 1 Report post Posted January 1, 2010 unrelated to MJ...but since RAM was mentioned here....added 1G to my machine today...and a DIVX video that was jittery and skipping before now runs smoothly. For another $39 bucks...I may have to up to 2.5G RAM.Just went from 1g to 2g in my laptop. Easy to do and you can tell things run quicker. Only had to pop the keyboard off to get at one and a cover on the bottom to access the 2nd location. Also snagged the Bluetooth card from the daughter's refurbed Dell (same model as the wife's and mine too) we got her for Christmas and threw it in mine. Now I can move stuff easily between them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RadioGaGa 162 Report post Posted January 1, 2010 unrelated to MJ...but since RAM was mentioned here....added 1G to my machine today...and a DIVX video that was jittery and skipping before now runs smoothly. For another $39 bucks...I may have to up to 2.5G RAM.Just went from 1g to 2g in my laptop. Easy to do and you can tell things run quicker. Only had to pop the keyboard off to get at one and a cover on the bottom to access the 2nd location. Also snagged the Bluetooth card from the daughter's refurbed Dell (same model as the wife's and mine too) we got her for Christmas and threw it in mine. Now I can move stuff easily between them.Oh, I know it's easy I did this one myself. I laugh at the people who go to Geek Squad and stufff like that, that charge $100 to 'install' RAM. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shotty 7 Report post Posted January 1, 2010 i use skype. its great. user can forward cell phone to skype and for $25, it allows unlimited calling in NA for the year (skype to landline or skype to cell). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RadioGaGa 162 Report post Posted January 24, 2010 The store that had them around here is sold out...so it looks like I will have to order online. One last MJ question before I do...I read that the upload minimum is 128kb/s...which my service more than delivers...but, I have a download/ipload limit of 25G per month...Will MJ chew up a lot of that in the data transfer involved in making calls? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RadioGaGa 162 Report post Posted January 25, 2010 Got it. Set it up (couldn't have been easier). I've made and received a local call....quality sounds decent. I wish it coudl park in teh tray rather than teh bottom bar...but toehr than that...happy camper so far.FYI to any other Canucks who might want to get one...a Cdn number costs an extra $10 a year and the 911 service isn't set up in Canada. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
heybrady 0 Report post Posted February 3, 2010 This is a good idea for those who travel internationally alot, or have famliy abroad. But a MagicJack and get a local US number, and now there are no toll calls. Basically you are paying $20 per year for an extra phone number. Nowhere else can do this as cheap and easy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Allsmokenopancake 0 Report post Posted February 3, 2010 So, what about the rumors that it loads your computer up with all sorts of ad-ware and spambots, any truth to it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RadioGaGa 162 Report post Posted February 3, 2010 So, what about the rumors that it loads your computer up with all sorts of ad-ware and spambots, any truth to it?Ask me again in a month....*L* Not seeing any problems yet.It does come highly rated from PC C Magazine. They have a pretty good track record, do they not? Can't see them recommending somethig that fills your machine with crap.http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,22502...2129TX1K0000530 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
camhockey16 5 Report post Posted February 3, 2010 don't forget consumer reports also gave it a positive review Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
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